Police open investigation into mall collapse

ORILLIA, Ontario – Canadian police have opened a criminal investigation into the collapse of a roof at an Ontario shopping mall that killed two and injured almost two dozen others.

The roof of the Algo Centre Mall in the northern Ontario city of Elliott Lake caved in and plummeted two floors down into the building on June 23. The Ontario Provincial Police announced the criminal investigation Tuesday.

The coroner and the Labor ministry are conducting investigations. Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty has also announced a public inquiry following a public outcry about why rescue efforts were called off two days after the collapse, only to be restarted hours later.

Many residents said the building needed repairs, and government officials had previously visited the mall because of complaints of water leaks.